BOY WHO SPROUTED ANTLERS

A companion to A Drink of Water code 92063, this 1961 classic is vividly illustrated with Quentin Blake's inimitable drawings, nine in colour and ten in black and white. It is nearly the summer holidays, and Billy Dexter and his classmates are trying to finish their wicker baskets. Their craft teacher Miss Beddows is so appalled by Billy's efforts that she keeps him in after class for a pep talk. 'As long as you set your mind on something and try hard enough, there's nothing you can't do.' Billy loves the idea that he can do anything, but his friends Melanie and Paul don't agree. 'What about growing horns?' suggests Melanie. It is a challenge Billy has to accept. 'When the children return to school after the summer holidays Billy was his normal self again and seemed, if anything, more cheerful and harder working than in the days before he grew the antlers.' A wonderful fantasy tale observed from the reality of school life, long hot summer holidays and children's imaginations and friendship. 48pp, illus.